UAlbany in the High School Program Students Featured in ARCH, the UAlbany Undergrad E-journal of Creative Arts and Writing

The cover of the Spring 2025 edition of the magazine ARCH with cover art by Miranda O'Sullivan featuring a dragonfly .

The winner of the UAlbany in the High School creative writing contest has been featured in the latest issue of Arch. Spring 2025 editors, Hadyn Archambeault and Stephen Piazza, served as judges, and the issue features Madeline Chu’s winning poem, “一日三秋: one day, three autumns.” Madeline is a junior in high school from Briarcliff Manor, New York. As the recipient of Scholastic Gold and Silver Keys, her work has been recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. She is a passionate writer and also serves as secretary of her school’s literary magazine, Briars & Ivy.

In addition to announcing the winner, ARCH’s judges also chose several runners-up as honorable mentions.

  • Amna Tayyab is from Pakistan and moved to New York when she was a little girl. She learned to thrive while still staying connected to her roots and heritage, and she will forever be grateful for all the opportunities and dreams she encounters. The title of her story is “Dreams or Directions?”
     
  • Emma Moran is a senior at Academy Of The Holy Names. She plays a large role in her school as the VP of her Student Council and an active role in her school’s ministry, which has given her so many opportunities. Emma shared that she felt this contest was a reach but thinks taking chances is rewarding. The title of her poem is “Last Goodbyes.”
     
  • Anthony Gutierrez-Hiciano shared the inspiration behind his story, “Keep Spinning,” explaining “I think we should all be able to have our own My Little Pony stickers. I thought about that while writing Keep Spinning. I’ve never personally owned MLP stickers, but the same principle aligns with many things in life, like when people are scared of being judged by others because of their identities. It’s scarily common and sad that many people have to cover a side of themselves that feels right in order to fit in. Even if the place you’re fitting into doesn’t feel right. Just remember–there is always someone or something to call home when you’re lost.”